From the First Days to the Final Distribution
A step-by-step guide for executors — from the first 48 hours to closing the estate
Being named an executor is often described as an honour. What it actually involves is rarely explained upfront.
Executor’s Compass™ is a self-guided, interactive tool that walks you through every phase of estate administration from the first 48 hours after a death through to closing the estate. Each task includes plain language guidance on what to do, what to watch for, who to contact, and where things commonly go wrong. Province-specific context is woven throughout so you’re never left guessing what applies to your situation.
Time: work at your own pace
Format: self-guided, interactive
Device: desktop, tablet, or mobile
What this is
Executor’s Compass™ is a comprehensive, self-paced guide designed for people who’ve been named executor; whether they’ve already started, are preparing ahead of time, or are somewhere in the middle and feeling uncertain about what comes next.
You’ll be guided through each phase of the process with clear explanations of what’s involved, what’s time-sensitive, and where things tend to go wrong. Province-specific context is woven throughout so you’re not left trying to figure out what applies to your situation.
It’s designed to be used before the role becomes active, in the early days after a death when everything feels urgent, or at any point when you’re not sure what the next step should be.
By the time you’ve worked through it, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what the role actually involves and what you’ll need to handle it well.
What’s covered
Executor’s Compass™ walks you through five phases of estate administration, each broken into specific tasks with practical guidance, common pitfalls, and built-in Q&A:
- First 48 to 72 hours: locating the will, securing the property, arranging the funeral, and obtaining death certificates
- First two weeks: notifying government agencies, CRA, financial institutions, and cancelling benefits and identity documents
- Estate administration (weeks 2 to 12): applying for probate, opening an estate bank account, inventorying assets, paying debts, filing the final tax return, and documenting executor fees
- Manage and wind up (months 2 to 12+): managing estate assets, communicating with beneficiaries, and preparing the estate accounting
- Distribution and close: obtaining CRA clearance certificates, making final distributions, and formally closing the estate
How It Works
When you open Executor’s Compass™ you’ll select your province. The tool then gives you a structured sidebar of all five phases and their tasks. Click any task to open detailed guidance covering what to do, who to contact, what to watch for, and answers to the questions executors most commonly ask. A progress tracker shows where you are across all 18 tasks. Your progress is saved as you go.
What this is not
- legal advice or a substitute for a lawyer
- financial, tax, or accounting advice
- a document preparation service
- a replacement for professional support in complex situations
Executor’s Compass™ is designed to help you understand what you’re dealing with and prepare more confidently, not to replace the professionals you’ll likely need along the way.
Who this is for
This tool is a good fit if you:
- have been named executor and want to understand what that actually means
- are in the middle of administering an estate and aren’t sure what comes next
- want to prepare before the role becomes active
- are supporting someone who’s been named executor and want to help them navigate it
- prefer to arrive at professional conversations informed rather than overwhelmed
You don’t need prior experience or legal knowledge to begin.
Also available as a suite
The Executor’s Compass™ Suite includes everything in the Compass plus two additional tools:
- Estate Administration Spreadsheet: a practical tracking tool for assets, debts, contacts, and tasks
- Executor’s Planner: a structured planning document to help you stay organized through every phase
Access and purchase details
You’ll receive an email with:
- the private access page URL
- your password
- simple instructions to begin
Important: Because this is a digital experience delivered immediately and can’t be returned, all purchases are final.
Disclaimer: This content is for general information only and is not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice.
